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Teaching computer networks in a real network: the technical perspectives

Published: 10 March 2010 Publication History

Abstract

Experimenting in courses such as operating systems, computer networks, and distributed systems is challenging due to the need to access system kernels and network infrastructures, as well as the distributed nature of these experiments. In this paper, we design and develop a laboratory platform that can be rapidly and economically adopted in any educational institutions to teach introductory computer networks courses. By using commercial, off-the-shelf hardware and open-source software, and together with our technical solutions, the platform gives students an opportunity to experiment in a real, flexible and scalable network, and to interact with the network both as a network user and more importantly as a network operator. These features can help students to better understand the algorithms, protocols and practice of computer networks. This easy-to-use lab platform has been received favorably by students. Also, the low-cost platform is easy to maintain, and can be repeatedly used in multiple, back-to-back lab sections.

References

[1]
ACM SIGCOMM Workshop on Computer Networking: Curriculum Designs and Educational Challenges, 2002. http://www-net.cs.umass.edu/sigcomm/education
[2]
ACM SIGCOMM Workshop on Networking Education: How to Educate the Educators? (NetEd), 2003.
[3]
D. Comer, Hands-on Networking with Internet Applications, 2nd Ed, Prentice Hall, 2004.
[4]
J. Matthews, Computer Networking: Internet Protocols in Action, Wiley, 2005.
[5]
J. Liebeherr and M. El Zarki, Mastering Networks: An Internet Lab Manual, Addison Wesley, 2003.
[6]
S. Panwar, S. Mao, J. Ryoo and Y. Li, TCP/IP Essentials: A Lab-Based Approach, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
[7]
D. Brylow, "An experimental laboratory environment for teaching embedded operating systems" in Proc 38th ACM SIGCSE, pp.192--196, Portland, OR, USA, March, 2008.
[8]
J. Kurose and K. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 5th Ed, Addison Wesley, 2009.

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  • (2025)Experience Report: Using the FABRIC Testbed to teach a Graduate Computer Networking courseProceedings of the 56th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3641554.3701923(1246-1252)Online publication date: 12-Feb-2025
  • (2023)Design and implementation of a smart learning environment for teaching computer networkingEuropean Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning10.2478/eurodl-2023-001325:1(162-179)Online publication date: 31-Oct-2023
  • (2023)Hands-on Activities for Learning Computer Networks and Information Security in CS0 Course2023 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE)10.1109/TALE56641.2023.10398410(1-3)Online publication date: 28-Nov-2023
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cover image ACM Conferences
SIGCSE '10: Proceedings of the 41st ACM technical symposium on Computer science education
March 2010
618 pages
ISBN:9781450300063
DOI:10.1145/1734263
Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 10 March 2010

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Author Tags

  1. computer networks
  2. lab platform
  3. network experimentation

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SIGCSE10
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Overall Acceptance Rate 1,787 of 5,146 submissions, 35%

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The 56th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education
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Cited By

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  • (2025)Experience Report: Using the FABRIC Testbed to teach a Graduate Computer Networking courseProceedings of the 56th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3641554.3701923(1246-1252)Online publication date: 12-Feb-2025
  • (2023)Design and implementation of a smart learning environment for teaching computer networkingEuropean Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning10.2478/eurodl-2023-001325:1(162-179)Online publication date: 31-Oct-2023
  • (2023)Hands-on Activities for Learning Computer Networks and Information Security in CS0 Course2023 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE)10.1109/TALE56641.2023.10398410(1-3)Online publication date: 28-Nov-2023
  • (2021)Youth Can Promote Marine Debris Concern and Policy Support Among Local Voters and Political OfficialsFrontiers in Political Science10.3389/fpos.2021.6628863Online publication date: 15-Apr-2021
  • (2020)Methods in Teaching Computer NetworksACM Transactions on Computing Education10.1145/339496320:3(1-35)Online publication date: 16-Jun-2020
  • (2019)Development of Blended Learning Model Based on Project in Computer Network Design and ManagementJournal of Physics: Conference Series10.1088/1742-6596/1387/1/0120101387:1(012010)Online publication date: 1-Nov-2019
  • (2019)Wireless GINISoftware—Practice & Experience10.1002/spe.239947:1(21-59)Online publication date: 4-Jan-2019
  • (2017)The Impact of Virtualized Technology on Undergraduate Computer Networking EducationProceedings of the 18th Annual Conference on Information Technology Education10.1145/3125659.3125693(109-114)Online publication date: 27-Sep-2017
  • (2015)Lowering the Barrier to Systems-level Networking ProjectsProceedings of the 46th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education10.1145/2676723.2677211(651-656)Online publication date: 24-Feb-2015
  • (2015)Educational material development model for teaching computer network and system managementComputer Applications in Engineering Education10.1002/cae.2163623:4(621-629)Online publication date: 3-Mar-2015
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